A Season to Celebrate Diversity!

One of the greatest successes within Delta Kappa Gamma is the organization’s diversity. This is an organization that thrives on diversity within its members in a multitude of forms. We all come from different continents, different religions, and different nationalities. We have new, experienced, and retired educators all working together to for the success of education all around the globe. We thrive on sharing our ideas, collaborating with new friends, and supporting our old friends as they embark on new adventures.

As we move into a season of celebration, find the beauty of diversity within your DKG chapter. Focus on how this diversity can help impact education globally. Encourage diversity. Embrace diversity. Celebrate Diversity. Let us all be a part of what this amazing organization embodies. We are truly a global organization of leading women educators! 

Are You In Yet?

Although you don’t have to set up a member profile to gain access to the international website’s member only documents you are missing out on some great features! Visit the My Account area under the MyDKG tab for a  personalized member experience at www.dkg.org. 

By logging into your member account area you have easy access to:

• Receipts for regional conferences/international conventions you have/will be attending 
• Donations you have made to the Society
• Transaction records for orders you have made with the DKG Store
• Your member profile with capability to edit your personal contact information in the international database, "opt in" to the Member Directory (allowing other members to connect with you) and choose your communication preferences (such as choosing to receive emails or text messages from DKG) 
• The DKG Communities for an interactive experience

In the My Account area, state and chapter leaders have a dashboard set up specifically for them granting them access to their state or chapter members’ information. Currently presidents and treasurers have access with more officers gaining access soon.

The DKG Communities is a member only social network where members can discuss common issues whether they are related to DKG, educational issues or common interests. More information on the Communities and how to access them can be found in the September/October 2016 issue of Get Connected (Communications & Publicity Committee Page).

In the Communication Preferences, members have the option of being included in a Member Directory. Recently, the committee tried to email several members from other states and the emails were returned undeliverable. By using the Member Directory, we were able to access their current email addresses because they had agreed to be included in the directory.

Set up your Member Profile now by going to the MyDKG tab at www.dkg.org. Members who wish to connect with you can get to know you through the details you share in your DKG Profile. Remember to include your favorite photo! You will need to sign into the website with your membership number and the initial password which your chapter president can give you.

We look forward to connecting with you soon!

The International Membership Committee welcomes you to 2016-2018!

We are excited to share our objectives for the coming biennium. They reflect the goals of the International Strategic Plan and consideration of our vision as Leading Women Educators Impacting Education Worldwide.

Develop a Communication Strategy

We are actively pursuing both old and new avenues of communications to share the value of DKG and to support members. We will be highlighting DKG, sharing best practices, and offering help. Watch for announcements coming soon!

Cultivate a Plan for Content Development

2016-2018 International Membership Committee

We will collaborate with other committees to offer webinars and videos about the society and to further professional development.

Implement a Member Engagement Plan

We continue to promote the membership plan, and will be developing resources to mentor new and veteran members.

Create Meaningful Connections

We invite you to actively participate with us in DKG Communities. We hope to strengthen leadership networks to foster internal support. We embrace diversity to cultivate an inclusive organization. 

We look forward to hearing your ideas and feedback! 

Ready, Set, Initiate!

Have you made plans for your chapter to grow this year?  If you have not already considered using the new Membership Recruitment Plan, you might check it out!  Find an overview and sample documents under the Resources tab at www.dkg.org.

The plan preserves the integrity of the invitation to membership (honor) and the initiation ceremony (tradition), but allows for a more effective way to present the Society to prospective members.  By changing the order of the process, prospective members are oriented to the organization before being invited to join.  And the chapter has already approved the list of prospects, so initiation plans can be made easily and quickly.

And one really exciting part is that the plan also engages chapter members as mentors to the new members - a simple, effective and purposeful way to keep new members active in DKG for life. In fact, mentors can be a great way to engage transferred and reinstated members in chapter activities as well.

For assistance or more information, contact us at mem@dkg.org.

Let's Meet in Nashville!

Membership Chair for your state organization?  In-coming Membership Chair for your chapter?  Plan to join the International Membership Committee members in Nashville at the 2016 International Convention!  In addition to the committee breakout session, a special session is planned for 10:45 a.m. on Friday, July 8.  Members of the committee, and some Headquarters staff, will be available to answer questions, address concerns and assist you with ideas.  Visit the Events page on the DKG website (Breakout Sessions) or see the
convention program for more details.  See you in Nashville!

REGISTERED YET?

Have you registered yet for convention?  Nashville, TN, will be the site of the 2016 International Convention, July 5 - 9.  In addition to great speakers, informative breakout sessions, fellowship, fun and networking, you can find out about all the new resources available to chapters and state organizations.

Check out the Cyber Center and the Hot Topics sessions for new technology and tips on exploring the DKG website.  Learn how to navigate the members-only area (My DKG) and the DKG communities.

For information about the new Membership Recruitment Plan, strategies for growing your membership and keeping current members engaged, join the International Membership Committee on Wednesday, July 6, at the 2:00 p.m. session.

And State Organization Membership Chairs:  join the committee in a Q & A session to follow up on last summer's training and  catch up on the past year.  That session will be held on Friday, July 9, at 10:45 a.m.

So, make your plans now and join us in Nashville!

The Spotlight is on: MEMBERS!

Do you know a member who has received an award or been honored for an accomplishment?  Has your chapter achieved a goal or developed a strategy for success?  Are members really excited or energized by a new project or activity?

Share it with Nita Scott (nitas@dkg.org) at Society Headquarters and it could be the next story for the new "Member Spotlight" on the DKG website.  Email information, pictures if appropriate, and permission to use the story (and pictures)  on the DKG website and/or in DKG
publications.

And if you have not visited the DKG website to see the latest Member Spotlight, go to www.dkg.org and click on the Member Spotlight icon on the home page.

Share the Secret with Someone

Does your chapter find it difficult to find new members?  Do you struggle to initiate even one or two new members each year?

Consider using the Membership Recruitment Plan.  If your chapter is or will be using the plan, now is the time to request members to complete a Prospect Card (sample is available at www.dkg.org). So, what tips can you give your members about finding the names of prospects?

Here are a few:

• Consider new teachers hired this year by the local district or community. 
• Volunteer to provide refreshments or the program at a district meeting or new teacher orientation.
• Set up an exhibit at a community meeting.
• Ask children and grandchildren for the names of their best teachers.
• Invite principals and administrators to provide the names of women teachers on staff they would like to honor with membership.
• Watch the newsletters and newspapers for the names of educators awarded for accomplishments, such as teacher of the year or national board certification awardee.